For some patients, a crown lengthening procedure will be part of a custom-tailored treatment plan developed to resolve a dental problem.

This procedure is performed to improve gum tissue health, or to prepare the area for a restoration or for a cosmetic enhancement. Crown lengthening is also commonly used to treat patients who wish to correct the appearance of a “gummy” smile, caused by excess tissue covering too much of the tooth.

Crown lengthening works to reveal more of the natural tooth through a process that reshapes or recontours both gum and bone, and may be an appropriate treatment for a single tooth or several teeth, or the complete gum line, depending upon the unique issues of the patient. After the procedure is complete, the patient will have a more aesthetically pleasing smile, without excess gum tissue.

How Does a Crown Lengthening Procedure Work?

Every person has a unique situation they are trying to resolve. In some cases, more of the tooth structure needs to be exposed so a restoration (such as a crown or an implant) can be placed. Generally, the procedure involves the following steps:

The area to be treated is numbed with local anesthetic.
Crowns in the area to be treated will be removed, to be replaced after treatment.
Small incisions are made around the soft tissue where the gum meets the tooth, to separate them. This provides access to the tooth root and underlying bone structure.
A small amount of tissue is removed in some cases, providing sufficient room to place a crown. In other cases, a very small amount of bone will be removed from around the teeth. Hand instruments are used for this procedure.
After completion, the tooth or teeth treated appear longer, as the gum tissue has been reshaped.
The site is then secured with a special bandaging material that helps to prevent the onset of infection.
You may be prescribed pain medication and antibiotics, as well as a special mouthwash to reduce bacteria growth while healing. It will require two to three months for the area to be completely healed.

Crown Lengthening in Pasadena, CA with Dr. Mehra

At Pasadena Smile Center, Dr. Mehra, our highly-trained periodontist in Pasadena CA, will explain every detail to you so you understand the procedure and what to expect. When a series of teeth are treated, the appointment is naturally longer than treating a single tooth. Every patient is different, but you can trust our team to make the process as comfortable as possible, and to use the most advanced procedures from start to finish.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team